Lockdown has taught Emilia Wickstead “how important it is to recharge, rethink and reimagine in every sense of the words”. In the midst of keeping her business and home life “alive”, the London designer found time to design a Matchesfashion.com capsule collection simplifying summer dressing. Entitled This Woman’s Work, and modelled by eight female entrepreneurs, the edit features fresh floral dresses ticking off every hem length and sleeve shape. “There is something in this collection for every woman,” affirms Wickstead.
“The more that I get to understand and spend time with our clients, the more I see how diverse a customer base I have,” Wickstead tells British Vogue of the multifaceted woman she imagines when designing. “I find this is what excites me most and prepares me to design the next collection – listening and learning from our clients is a constant education for me in understanding what women actually want.”
This season, despite the “slower pace” of proceedings, the Wickstead woman will bloom in nostalgic floral prints. “English countryside homes and interiors that match their gardens have played a big part in inspiring me this season,” she says. “I loved printing onto the transparency of fine cotton which gives it a modern and romantic feel.”
Liha Okunniwa & Abi Oyepitan, Liha Beauty
Best friends since their university days, Liha Okunniwa, 40, and Abi Oyepitan, 40, wanted to create a natural beauty brand that honoured both their Yoruba (Nigerian) culture and the rich botanical life of West Africa as well as traditional British aromatherapy and folk remedies. The result is Liha Beauty, founded in 2017.
Read the full article at Vogue.com
